Numismatics of Safavid Iran (Brief Review)

Abstract

Based on Russian and foreign studies, the review highlights the current state of the study of Safavid numismatic sources and the development of Safavid descriptive numismatics (descriptions of coinage, monetary systems and money circulation), which is necessary for a correct interpretation of the economic and political history of Iran. A brief historiographical introduction provides an overview of the most important publications of numismatic sources (catalogs of collections and numismatic e‑databases), as well as a brief description of main published surveys. The first part of the work, on the basis of modern ideas about the fundamental concepts, governing the implementation of coinage in Safavid Iran, describes the rights of sikka (jus monetæ) and haqq al-zarb (jus monetæ cudendæ), as well as the currency zones generated by them, viz. the nationwide zone of Shah’s coins and local zones of regional anonymous issues. The monetary system of Safavids is described and its elements are established. The sphere of circulation of coins from various metals is analyzed, the names of coin denominations are established and etymologized. Brief information on the structure of Safavid mints, the dynamics of their number and geographical zoning is provided. The second part describes the most important transformations and characteristic features of monetary affairs in the reign of each Safavid Shah basing on the analysis of numismatic data and narratios. The dynamics of the process of consolidation of monetary zones and changes of monetary standards, as well as the time of the appearance of innovations in coin inscriptions and monetary design are traced.